Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction (from the Latin ius, iuris meaning "oath" and dicere meaning "to speak") is the practical authority granted to a formally constituted legal body or to a political leader to deal with and make pronouncements on legal matters and, by implication, to administer justice within a defined area of responsibility. The term is also used to denote the geographical area or subject-matter to which such authority applies.

The rule for jurisdiction is, that nothing shall be intended to be out of the jurisdiction of the superior Court, but that which specially appears to be so; and on the contrary, nothing shall be intended to be within the jurisdiction of an inferior Court but that which is so expressly alleged.

Per Cur., Peacock v. Bell and Kendall (1667), 1 Saund. 74 a.»

The Court ought never to come to the conclusion that two cases in the same Court, or in Courts of co-ordinate jurisdiction, are in conflict, unless it is obliged to. I agree that if two cases are in conflict the Court must say with which of them it agrees.

It is of little importance how the jurisdiction originated, if it be found to exist.—Turner, L.J., Boyse v. Rossborough (1854), 23 L. J. Rep. Part 5 (N. S.) Ch. 535. 18- I shall not be afraid to exercise a jurisdiction I find established, and shall adhere to precedents.

The rule is this: that wherever there is a decision of a Court of concurrent jurisdiction, the other Courts will adopt that as the basis of their decision, provided it can be appealed from. If it cannot be appealed from, then they will exercise their own judgment.